NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE03058

ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys

CLOSED

no recall issued

2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 -- The Office Of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure that could result in loss of power-steering assist.ODI has received a total of 546 non-duplicative reports that allege engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure on all Mercedes-Benz vehicles using the subject component.the subject component failures are progressive in nature and only a small percentage of the complaints and warrant claims involved a failure that had progressed far enough to effect power steering performance (6 of 55 ODI complaints reference increased steering effort).there have been no crashes or injuries related to the alleged defect.a safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of Agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.the Agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see summary report attached for further detail. Investigation was initiated on December 17 2003. Closed on April 22 2004. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE03058 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE03006

POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE: Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Power Steering Fluid**

RECALL »

Recall #03V121000

** This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 -- The hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for the connection.the loss of power steering fluid may result in gradual reduction in power steering assist (I.e., increased steering effort) over time, with potential damage to the power steering pump. There have also been a few incidents of hose separation from the fitting, that have resulted in more rapid reductions of power steering.testing conducted by Mercedes-Benz indicates that the leaked fluid is not likely to be exposed to hot engine components.there are no known allegations that the defect condition has caused a vehicle fire. Mercedes-Benz will conduct a voluntary recall campaign for the subject M-class vehicles.Mercedes-Benz will install a new hose clamp on the power steering hose to the power steering cooler of the subject vehicles.during clamp replacement, the power steering cooling hose will be inspected and replaced as necessary. Investigation was initiated on February 13 2003. Closed on April 04 2003. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE03006 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE07007

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION: Suspension:Automatic Stability Control (Asc)

CLOSED

no recall issued

2000 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 -- ODI opened PE07-007 after receiving 4 complaints within a 6 week period alleging incidents of uncommanded brake application in model year (MY) 2000 through 2001 Mercedes M class sport utility vehicles.information contained in the reports or gathered in subsequent consumer interviews indicated that the incidents were caused by faults in the electronic stability program (esp) system which were repaired by replacing the yaw rate sensors.although the same yaw rate sensor is used in approximately 800,000 other Mercedes M-class, C-class and slk models, to date there has been only one related complaint to ODI in those vehicles. During this investigation Mercedes Benz provided ODI with 327 complaints related to the esp system in the MY 2000 through 2001 M class vehicles.seven of the complaints submitted by Mercedes alleged incidents of uncommanded brake activation while driving, with two of these involving vehicles identified in the ODI complaints.none of the incidents resulted in crash or injury.however, the owners did express safety concerns due to the sudden, unexpected change in vehicle speed and direction. On May 10, 2007 Mercedes Benz met with NHTSA to provide a technical presentation and conduct a driving demonstration of the esp system performance with simulated electrical faults in the yaw rate sensor.Mercedes showed that the esp system is programmed to diagnose electrical faults and that brake applications resulting from yaw rate sensor electrical faults are very short in duration (0.3 seconds or less) and do not affect vehicle control or stability. Nine of the consumer complaints to ODI and Mercedes alleged brake activations longer than 0.3 seconds, with several alleging that the incident lasted until the vehicle came to a stop.a complaint vehicle that alleged multiple incidents was evaluated by ODI at the Vehicle Research And Test Center (VRTC) in East liberty, Ohio.VRTC was unable to duplicate the condition.due to the low complaint rate and only one new complaint to ODI or Mercedes since January 2007, this investigation has been closed.ODI will continue to monitor complaints in the subject vehicles and other Mercedes products using the same yaw rate sensor and Mercedes will provide updates on field experience (complaints, field reports and warranty claims) through the end of 2007. Investigation was initiated on February 01 2007. Closed on July 11 2007. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE07007 »